Jonesboro Police Chief Resigns (UPDATED)

Jonesboro Police Chief Mike Yates resigned Monday in the aftermath of a controversy involving a former newspaper reporter.

Mayor Harold Perrin accepted the resignation Monday morning.

In the one-page letter, Yates said the resignation, which takes effect immediately, came after some soul searching.

“I have served this community for more than nine years and I think the department has come a long way, but as you know, a man must take responsibility for his mistakes and I am prepared to do just that. I let my anger and pride override my judgment by saying a number of things that are unacceptable given my position,” Yates said.

Yates said he will continue to support the officers at his department.

“Lastly, let me express my most sincere gratitude to you and my supporters as we navigated this series of problems but I feel that this matter has evolved beyond what can rectified.”

Assistant police chief Tim Eads will serve as acting chief until a replacement is selected.

Yates faced controversy since details of postings on a Facebook page surfaced about former Jonesboro Sun reporter Sunshine Crump. Crump, who was a police-courts reporter for the newspaper, resigned last week after she told paper officials she did not feel safe.

Jonesboro Mayor Harold Perrin suspended Yates for a month without pay last Friday.

UPDATE: Perrin said he met with Yates Monday morning and that after the meeting, both felt it was time for Yates to resign.

Perrin said while the one bad issue has clouded Yates’ history, Perrin believes Yates has been a positive for the department.

“He has done a lot of good things,” Perrin said, noting one example: the rotation of department heads working in various parts of the department.

For instance, the program allowed patrol captains to work in the criminal investigations division, traffic and other areas.

Perrin also wished Yates the best in his future endeavors.